COMMENT: Springboks could not have got selections any better!

On Tuesday, the Springboks unveiled their first matchday squad of this end-of-year tour, with a couple of key selections certainly deserving some high praise.

BREAKING: BOKS MAKE SURPRISE SELECTION IN TEAM TO FACE IRELAND

For this first game against the world No 1 team, Ireland, there may have been a temptation to go the slightly more conservative route of picking veteran Willie le Roux at fullback.

Instead, the Bok coaches opted to boldly go in a different direction, selecting Cheslin Kolbe to start his first Test at fullback.

It’s certainly a brave call for this opening clash, and highlights the Bok coaches willingness to think outside of the box on this crucial tour.

ALSO READ | KOLBE COULD BE SEEN AT FLYHALF FOR BOKS

The Boks know that Damian Willemse is another option at fullback, but with the 24-year-old currently performing a key role at flyhalf, an opportunity has arisen to see what Kolbe can offer at 15.

It also allows the Springboks to get another look at speedster Kurt-Lee Arendse on the right wing, where he produced a sensational performance against the All Blacks during the Rugby Championship before receiving a suspension.

With Kolbe, Arendse and Mapimpi in the back three, the Boks suddenly boast a serious boost of X factor, which could add real dynamism to what they offer on attack.

In short, this is undoubtedly one of the most exciting backlines the Springboks have selected this year, bearing in mind Lukhanyo Am is still set to return.

In the forward pack, there can be no complains about the selections up front, and it is really good to see Malcom Marx retaining the No 2 jersey after his sensational form in the Rugby Championship.

The ‘bomb squad’ bench offers tons of firepower, with Deon Fourie and Kwagga Smith serving as ideal impact forwards, while Faf de Klerk and Willie le Roux offer versatility and experience among the backs.

OPINION: MASSIVE BOK TOUR AWAITS DAMIAN WILLEMSE AT 10

SPRINGBOKS TEAM TO FACE IRELAND IN DUBLIN:

15 – Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon) – 20 caps, 50 pts (10t)
14 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 3 caps, 10 pts (2t)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 56 caps, 60 pts (12t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 66 caps, 45 pts (9t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 33 caps, 110 pts (22t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 23 caps, 19 pts (1t, 4c, 2p)
9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks) – 10 caps, 12 pts (2t, 1c)

8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 18 caps, 5 pts (1t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 64 caps, 15 pts (3t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 71 caps, 35 pts (7t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 64 caps, 25 pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks) – 106 caps, 15 pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 54 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 55 caps, 65 pts (13t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 67 caps, 5 pts (1t)

Replacements:

16 – Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) – 52 caps, 55 pts (11t)
17 – Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks) – 15 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (unattached) – 37 caps, 0 pts
19 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 59 caps, 10 pts (2t)
20 – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 3 caps, 0 pts
21 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 27 caps, 15 pts (3t)
22 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 42 caps, 25 pts (5t)
23 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 79 caps, 65 pts (13t)

EXCLUSIVE | HOW THE SPRINGBOKS CAN RETURN TO NUMBER 1 IN THE WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS

Springbok record against Ireland:

Played 26; Won 18; Lost 7; Drawn 1; Points for: 506, Points against: 380; Tries scored 69, Tries conceded 35; Highest score 38-0; Biggest win 38 points. Win % 69%.

Milestones:

• Siya Kolisi is the second most capped Springbok captain, having led the team in 41 Tests.
• Eben Etzebeth is the second most capped Springbok lock with 106 Tests.
• Etzebeth will equal Tendai Mtawarira and CJ van der Linde’s record of seven Test matches against Ireland.

Miscellaneous:

• The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 710.
• There are 211 caps in the backline with 499 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench there are a further 315 caps.
• The average caps per player in the backline are 30, the forwards 62, while the players on the bench average 39.
• Wille le Roux will play in his 80^th Test match. He has played 75 as fullback, trailing the most capped fullback Percy Montgomery by 12 Tests in the No 15 jersey.